Box Score
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CHARLESTON, Ill. – Murray State outscored Eastern Illinois 24-7 in the second half Saturday afternoon as the Racers picked up a 38-28 victory over the Panthers on homecoming day at O'Brien Field.
Trailing 21-14 at that half Murray State held the ball for 12:30 of the third quarter as they converted on four fourth down attempts in the quarter to tie the game at 28-28 heading into the fourth quarter. MSU scored on its opening drive of the quarter with Mike Harris breaking free for a 68-yard score to tie the game.
The Racers (3-4, 2-2 OVC) then recovered a sky kick at the EIU 35-yard line which gave MSU the ball in great field position. Harris scored seven plays later on a 2-yard run as he finished with 159 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns.
EIU (0-8, 0-6 OVC) would respond with a drive of its own as Kienan Cullen's punt into the wind was fielded at the EIU 38-yard line with a face mask penalty giving EIU the ball inside Murray State territory. Jimmy Garoppolo hit Von Wise for a 16-yard pass and then found Chris Wright in the back of the end zone for a 31-yard score to knot that game at 28-28. Garoppolo finished the day 25-of-35 for 341 yards and four scores.
Murray State opened the fourth quarter with a field goal by Cullen to take the lead at 31-28 as they capped a 22 play drive that ran 8:06 off the clock. EIU attempted a fake punt on the next drive and Nick Nasti was stopped one yard short by Blake Salter giving the Racers the ball at the EIU 29. Casey Brockman hit Marcus Harris for a 5-yard strike to account for the final MSU score. Brockman was 41-of-58 for 318 yards and two touchdowns.
Mike Harris had given the Racers and early lead as he scored on the first Murray State drive from 18-yards out. EIU tied the score on its next drive as Garoppolo hit Lorence Ricks on a 45-yard post pattern with 7:58 to go in the first. Looking like the start of a track meet, Murray State responded with Brockman hitting Arthur Brackett on a 25-yard strike on the next drive.
EIU would score twice in the second quarter to take a halftime lead. Garoppolo found Ricks for a second time on a 28-yard pass with 6:52 to go in the half. Ricks, who was limited to only one kick return on the day, had a four catches for 114 yards and two scores at his wide receiver position.
The final score of the half was set up by the EIU defense as senior CJ James stripped the ball from Mike Harris at the five yard line to prevent a Murray State score. James would return the fumble to the EIU 25 yard line where Garoppolo marched the Panthers down the field in six plays hitting Erik Lora for an 8-yard score. Lora led EIU with six receptions.
Rashad Haynes was able to keep the league's top receiving threat in check as Brackett had six catches for 57 yards. Brockman was able to find two other targets he liked as Rashad Daniels had 12 catches for 117 yards while Marcus Harris added 11 catches for 85 yards. Zach Kutch had 10 tackles including three for loss to lead Murray State's defense.
EIU had three players each finish with ten tackles as James, Nasti and Cory Leman all reached double digits.
EIU will host Austin Peay next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the Panthers senior day game.
